Unconventional topological phase transition in two-dimensional systems with space-time inversion symmetry

Abstract

We study a topological phase transition between a normal insulator and a quantum spin Hall insulator in two-dimensional (2D) systems with time-reversal and two-fold rotation symmetries. Contrary to the case of ordinary time-reversal invariant systems where a direct transition between two insulators is generally predicted, we find that the topological phase transition in systems with an additional two-fold rotation symmetry is mediated by an emergent stable two-dimensional Weyl semimetal phase between two insulators. Here the central role is played by the so-called space-time inversion symmetry, the combination of time-reversal and two-fold rotation symmetries, which guarantees the quantization of the Berry phase around a 2D Weyl point even in the presence of strong spin-orbit coupling. Pair-creation/pair-annihilation of Weyl points accompanying partner exchange between different pairs induces a jump of a 2D $Z_2$ topological invariant leading to a topological phase transition. According to our theory, the topological phase transition in HgTe/CdTe quantum well structure is mediated by a stable 2D Weyl semimetal phase since the quantum well, lacking inversion symmetry intrinsically, has two-fold rotation about the growth direction. Namely, the HgTe/CdTe quantum well can show 2D Weyl semimetallic behavior within a small but finite interval in the thickness of HgTe layers between a normal insulator and a quantum spin Hall insulator. We also propose that few-layer black phosphorus under perpendicular electric field is another candidate system to observe the unconventional topological phase transition mechanism accompanied by emerging 2D Weyl semimetal phase protected by space-time inversion symmetry.

5+14 pages, 4+10 figures; accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters

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• Two-Dimensional Dirac Fermions Protected by Space-Time Inversion Symmetry in Black Phosphorus
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• Zeeman field-induced two-dimensional Weyl semimetal phase in cadmium arsenide
• Engineering the in-plane anomalous Hall effect in Cd${}_3$As${}_2$ thin films
• Two-dimensional Topological Semimetals Protected by Symmorphic Symmetries
• Quantum Valley and Sub-valley Hall Effect in the Large Angle Twisted Bilayer Graphene
• Non-Hermitian skin effect enforced by nonsymmorphic symmetries
• Robustness of spin-polarized edge states in a two-dimensional topological semimetal without inversion symmetry
• Detecting competing orders through the edge states in the heterostructures with high-Tc superconductors
• Robust semi-Dirac points and unconventional topological phase transitions in doped superconducting Sr2IrO4 tunnel coupled to t2g electron systems
• Fate of superconductivity in disordered Dirac and semi-Dirac semimetals
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• Shaping Maximally Localized Wannier Functions via Discrete Adiabatic Transport
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